Biography

Mark Feld, 30 September 1947, Hackney, London, England, d. 16 September 1977, London, England. A former fashion model in the halcyon Mod era, Bolan began his singing career during the mid-60s folk boom. He completed several unsuccessful demo discs, including Dylans Blowing In The Wind, and he further failed a recording test at Abbey Road studios in 1965. Initially dubbed Toby Tyler, then Marc Riggs, Marc Bowland then finally Bolan. Either through his love of Dylan (Bo)b Dy(lan) or the fact that he shared a flat with the actor James Bolam, he adopted Bolan. Signed by the legendary Dick Rowe of Decca Records the artists debut single, The Wizard was issued in November 1965. It was allegedly influenced by his friend Riggs OHara, and it revealed an early penchant for pop mysticism, whereas its follow-up, The Third Degree, was indebted to R&B. Its b-side, San Francisco Poet,...